Method of producing engravings



(No Model.)

B. F. B. FAGG.

METHOD OF PRODUCING BNGRAVINGS. No. 597,277. Patented Jan. 11,1898.

INVENTOR ATM/M1678.

io nrrnn 'TATES A'innrr @rrrca BENJAMIN F. B. FAGG, OF FORESTVILLE,VVISC'ONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HIMSELF ANDJENNIE LISTER BARTRAN, OF SAME PLACE, AND MAYNARD T. PARKER AND MICHAELC. HANEY,

OF ALGUNA, WISCONSIN.

M ETHOD OF PRODUCING ENGRAVINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,277, dated lTanuary1 1, 1898.

Application filed May 15, 1896. Serial No. 591,614 (Specimens) To allwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. B. FAGG, of Forestville, in the countyof Door and State of IVisconsin, have invented a new and 5 ImprovedMethod of Producing Matrices, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method ofproducing mat- IO rices directly from aphotograph, drawing, or

other picture in a very simple and comparatively inexpensive manner.

The method consists principally in subjecting the picture to a lowtemperature to r 5 produce frost, then dusting the picture with anadhesive substance, and subjecting-it to a higher temperature to causethe frost to melt and absorb the adhesive substance and to make the sameadhere to the picture along the sides and ends of the lines of thepicture,

so that the latter forms a matrix.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in which similar characters of reference indicatscorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a face View of the picture to be formed into a matrix. Fig.2 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a like view ofthe same with the frost on the pic- 0 ture. Fig. dis a similar view withthe adhesive substance in place for forming the matrix, and Fig. 5 is alike view showing the matrix in the casting-box for making-a stereotype.

In order to carry the method into effect, I proceed as follows: Thesheet of paper or othersuitable material A, bearing the picture B inwaterproof ink, is placed on a block C of suitable material, and is thensubjected to a low or freezing temperature, preferably in a moistatmosphere, so as to cause the formation of a layer of frost D on thesurface of the picture along the sides and ends of the waterproof linesof the picture. The lines of the An adhesive substance E, such aspowdered gum-arable, is then sprinkled or dusted over the frost, and thepicture is now subjected to a higher temperature to melt the frost andcause the adhesive substance to be absorbed by the water ofcondensation. The adhesive substance in drying and hardening adheres tothe paper and forms a film thereon. The adhesive substance dusted on thelines of the picture can be readily blown off or otherwise removed toleave the lines free and exposed, With the adhesive substance formingWalls on the sides and ends of the lines. The sheet thus preparedconstitutes a matrix which can be used for forming printing-plates.

The manner of taking a cast from the matrix may be varied according tothe kind of material desired to carry the design or printing-surface.Any substance which is plastic enough to be pressed or run into andagainst the matrix prepared as above described will receive the designin relief upon its surface, whether for printing or for other purposes.The matrix can be used in a mold or casting box F (seeFig. 5) to form astereotype G, or the matrix can be used for forming an elec troplate inthe usual manner.

The proof is obtained from the printingplate by placing the latter in aprinting-press and printing from it the same as from newspaper or jobtype forms.

It is necessary that the matrices should be built up high enough in theopen spaces between the design-carrying parts to prevent the parts inthe printing-plate free from the design from receiving ink and printing.lVhen wide spaces exist between the designcarrying parts of the matrixsuch spaces may easily and quickly be raised or built up by adding moreof the adhesive substance.

In order to produce a very thick frost on the sheet, I may moisten thesheet previous to subjecting it to a low or freezing temperature, andthis may be done in all cases, if deemed necessary, the degree ofmoisture needed depending upon the thickness and the kind of materialupon which the picture proper or design rests.

It is evident that while the adhesive sub stance is in a plastic stateit can be readily acted on by suitable tools for retouching the pictureto any desired extent while the matrix is in the process of forming. Anypowdered adhesive substance remaining on the lines of the picture can bereadily removed by a tracing-pencil or other suitable tool, es

'pecially as the covered lines or other part of the picture readilybecome visible through for enhancing the appearance of the final printmay be cut by a suitable tool into the adhesive substance while thelatter is in a plastic state and during the process of drying.

In case a picture "in black lines is to be re produced from ordinaryprint, such as common newspaperpictures, a modification of the processbecomes necessary. In such pictures the design-carrying parts are rarelysufficiently waterproof. Printers ink, such as is used in printingnewspapers and most bookwork, is waterproof, but is applied so thinlythat in most newspaper-pictures minute open spaces exist in thedesigmcarrying parts, and the frost or ice may form more or less overthese parts of the picture. In produoing matrices from such prints alens or burning-glass may be used after a good coating of frost isobtained on the picture. The rays of light are focused so that they willheat and be absorbed by the black lines, which removes the frost anddries the same without ali'ecting the frost or paper around the lines. Ithen proceed as already stated.

To make an outline or shaded picture direct from a photograph, I dampenand freeze V the photograph and cover the same with the 1. Theherein-described method of producing matrices, consisting in subjectinga picture to a low temperature to produce frost on the surface of thepicture, then covering the latter with an adhesive substance andsubjecting it to a higher temperature, to cause the frost to melt andabsorb the adhesive substance, which in drying adheres to the picturealong the sides and ends of thelines or the design-carrying parts of thepicture, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described method of producing matrices, consisting insubjecting a picture to a low temperature to produce frost on thesurface of the picture, then covering the latter with an adhesivesubstance and subjecting it to a higher temperature, to cause the frostto melt and absorbthe adhesive substance, which in drying adheres to thepicture along the sides and ends of the lines or the design-carryingparts of the picture, the adhesive substance while in a plastic statebeing subjected to a retouching manipulation, substantially asdescribed.

3. The herein-described method of producing matrices, consisting insubjecting a picture to a low temperature to produce frost on thesurface of thepicture, then covering the latter with an adhesivesubstance and subjecting it to a higher temperature, to cause the frostto melt and absorb the adhesive substance, which in drying adheres tothe picture along the sides and ends of the lines or the design-carryingparts of the picture, the adhesive substance on the lines of the picturebeing removed previous to the drying and hardening of the substance,substantially as described.

4.. The herein-described method of produc-

